Randomized Trial on Illuminated-Microcatheter Circumferential Trabeculotomy Versus Conventional Trabeculotomy in Congenital Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare 1-year outcomes of illuminated microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy (IMCT) vs conventional partial trabeculotomy (CPT) for primary congenital glaucoma (PCG).

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Forty eyes of 31 patients with unilateral or bilateral primary congenital glaucoma aged less than 2 years were randomized to undergo IMCT (20 eyes) or CPT (20 eyes). Primary outcome measure was intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. The success criterion was defined as IOP ≤ 12 mm Hg without and with antiglaucoma medications (absolute success and qualified success, respectively).

RESULTS

The mean age of our study population was 8.35 ± 1.2 months. The mean preoperative IOP was 24.70 ± 3.90 mm Hg in the IMCT group and 24.60 ± 3.31 mm Hg in the CPT group. Both groups were comparable with respect to preoperative IOP, corneal clarity, corneal diameter, vertical cup-to-disc ratio, and refractive error. In the IMCT group, 360-degree cannulation was achieved in 80% (16/20) of eyes. For the IMCT group and CPT groups, respectively, the absolute success rates were 80% (16/20) and 60% (12/20) (P < .001) and qualified success rates were 90% (18/20) and 70% (14/20) (P < .001). Both procedures produced a statistically significant reduction in IOP, and eyes undergoing IMCT achieved a lower IOP than CPT group eyes at 12 months follow-up (9.5 ± 2.4 mm Hg and 11.7 ± 2.1 mm Hg, respectively, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

In primary congential glaucoma, illuminated microcatheter-assisted 360-degree circumferential trabeculotomy performed better than conventional partial trabeculotomy at 1 year follow-up and resulted in significantly lower IOP measurements.